Abu Dhabi: Despite being assured that their building is safe for inhabitation, tenants of one of the capital’s residential towers were once again asked to vacate their homes on Monday.
In addition to evacuating Khabirah Tower in Abu Dhabi’s Khalidiyah area, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence officials also asked residents of some neighbouring buildings to leave their buildings this afternoon, Gulf News has learnt.
The evacuation was undertaken in the afternoon after another ground slide occurred, caused by deep excavations on a road and building construction site adjacent to Khabirah Tower. The first slide shook the area last Tuesday, and only Khabirah Tower residents were asked to leave their homes then as well.
A source from the Civil Defence told Gulf News that Monday’s ground slide was also minor.
“As a precautionary measure, residents were evacuated as soon as it occurred, and we waited for a municipal inspection team to assess the safety of the neighbourhood before allowing them to go back home. The whole process took about four hours,” he added.
Residents began posting numerous comments and posts on Facebook after emergency officials reached the area on Monday.
“Officials have been in the area since 3pm, and at least one building was completely evacuated. The area looks very chaotic,” said Hend Al Ajarma, a resident in the nearby Al Diar building.
Rana Haweel, another Al Diar building tenant, said she had witnessed the evacuation of at least two residential towers.
“My family has also been notified by the police that we should pack our valuables, and be ready to evacuate at any time. We are of course worried, but are trying to stay positive,” said Haweel, an account executive.
There was some confusion in the area even at 8pm, after officials had allowed people to return home. Emergency personnel are still on site at the time of going to publication, and are expected to stay through the night to monitor the situation and reassure residents.
The Civil Defence source added that municipal specialists will study the excavation again on Tuesday, and recommend actions to prevent future incidents.
Although no accidents or injuries were sustained as a result of the first ground slide, residents of Khabirah Tower were housed by the Emirates Red Crescent in six hotels across the capital for two days after the first instance. In the meantime, the site was inspected.
